BEAUMONT, Texas — There’s a new push to fight drunk driving in Southeast Texas after the fallout of these crimes has been seen a lot in the region in recent weeks.
Just last month, a jury convicted and sentenced Officer Sheena Yarbrough-Powell’s killer and Jefferson County Deputy Jim Lee was hit and killed while mowing his grass, by an alleged drunk driver.
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In June, a crash injured a Lumberton Police officer and his K9.
Despite all the warnings, drunk driving continues to be an issue on Texas roads.
Texas Department of Public Safety data shows that DWI arrests in Jefferson county have gone up the last two years in Jefferson, Orange and Hardin county.
"We have gone almost 22 years without a death free day on Texas roadways, every single day for the last 21 years almost 22 years someone has died on Texas roadways," said Sarah Dupre with the Texas Department of Transportation.
And drinking and driving doesn't help this tragic streak.
Casie Harris is a victim advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, also known as MADD.
"These are people who have lost their lives due to drunk driving," she said, while pointing at pictures of victims.
As of recently, the non-profit has been getting more calls.
“I hope the increase is because people know what we're doing and see the value in our organization, but I'm worried the increase is just an increase," Harris said.
This summer brought multiple deaths as a result of drunk driving, one as recent as a week ago in Port Arthur.
In the last decade, Jefferson County had 2,297 crashes related to drugs or alcohol, including nearly one and a half thousand injuries and more than 100 deaths.
Despite the grave warnings, people still do it.
"You will be pulled over, and you will be put in jail,” said Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham.
Wortham points out that the total number of total DWI's actually dropped in the past decade.
"We very aggressively prosecute them, we hold everybody's feet to the fire, and I think because of that, we have fewer cases," he said.
A DWI stays on a person's record for life, but as Harris with MADD points out, that doesn't compare to losing a loved one for life.
Harris lost her brother 11 years ago.
"You don't get over it, you just learn how to live with how your life is now, and live with that emptiness that you feel inside," she said.
She says the next time you consider drinking and driving, don't think about yourself and the fear of getting caught, but think about the innocent faces that can be lost over one decision.
Mother's against drunk driving works to educate, advocate, and work with legislators, victims, and law enforcement to prevent drunk driving.
To learn more, donate or get involved, visit MADD's website.